3. Gathers all the information before recommending specific media recommendations for the project. Demonstrates state-of-the-art technology in current projects (even though it might not be appropriate for yours).

4. Works with a variety of authoring/development products.

5. Uses the current releases of the development products they recommend.

10. Development team possesses all of the skills required for the project.

11. The team members that will be assigned to the project have worked together before.

12. Provides good customer support (from your own pre-project experience and from the experience of the vendor’s references that you interview).

13. Can convince you that they know all of the proper steps to complete your project to your satisfaction.

14. Pricing is in line with other quotations (Be careful of the ultra-low bid to get the foot in the door or the ultra-high bid that accompanies claims of a superior deliverable).

15. Is in the custom e-learning development business where each project’s design is unique to achieve specific objectives (as opposed to being a commercial developer where a "generic" design is applied to all projects).

16. The vendor is flexible. They are willing to do just some of the work (e.g., you do the storyboard design and content development and they do the programming).

17. The physical location of the development personnel is not an issue. Remember, you are developing written communication and graphics. All are easily transmitted as e-mail attachments or via overnight delivery of a CD, regardless of where the vendor is located.

18. The vendor is willing to work at or near your facility, if necessary. If you insist on the vendor being on-site, consider the occasional on-site meeting. Even with travel costs factored in, a "right-priced" vendor can still be more cost-effective than a local provider.

19. Has or has access to video- or Web-conferencing facilities if a "face to face" is required over a distance.

20. The vendor does not insist on retaining any rights to the program. If they do, look elsewhere. Future "rights" entanglements can be costly.

21. The vendor is willing to provide maintenance services for the program.

22. The vendor is willing to design the program and use development tools that will minimize maintenance charges.

23. If subsequent translation to additional languages is anticipated, the same vendor can at least design the project to minimize the effort required for translation. Ideally the vendor can also provide the translation services if required.